Nearly each rock/steel drummer would soar on the likelihood to play with Black Sabbath if they may. Surprisingly, one one who was requested to take action however turned down the provide is former Who and Oasis drummer Zak Starkey, and he’s since expressed “remorse” over not becoming a member of the godfathers of heavy steel over a decade in the past.
What Starkey Stated
Naturally, numerous followers, buddies and colleague/protégés of Ozzy Osbourne have paid their respects to the legendary singer following his July 22, 2025 passing. That features Starkey, who – on July 23 – shared his personal tribute whereas revealing that Sharon Osbourne requested him to fill the drummer seat in 2012.
Starkey’s Instagram post contains a picture of an electronic mail he obtained from Sharon Osbourne that reads:
Zak,
Black Sabbath is headlining Download on June 10 after which Lollapalooza in August. The blokes want a drummer for his or her album, which will probably be recorded in September with Rick Rubin producing. We might most likely want you for 2-3 weeks for the album. Additionally, they want a drummer to play at Lollapalooza which is on August 3 in Chicago. Additionally, Ozzy needs to have intercourse with you whereas he’s singing Iron Man.
Large Kiss,
Sharon
Alongside the picture, Starkey writes:
Regrets I’ve had a number of -this is one – (not the intercourse half!) Ozzy will all the time be one of many biggest, pure , good singers of all time. I ship a lot love and power to his household at this unhappy unhappy time. If u aren’t accustomed to the by no means say die file – get into it – it’s to this point out – X
Oddly sufficient, Starkey doesn’t elaborate on why he didn’t take her up on the provide (regardless of being requested a number of occasions within the replies). Nonetheless, Stereogum mentions: “Far Out [Magazine] identified that Starkey was coping with a tendon issue in 2013, which can or could not have been why Starkey declined the request.”
After all, the album Sharon Osbourne is referring to is Black Sabbath’s ultimate LP – 2013’s 13 – which was their first since 1995’s Forbidden. Though it didn’t characteristic drummer Bill Ward, it did mark the primary time the opposite three authentic members – guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy – appeared on a Black Sabbath studio assortment since 1978’s Never Say Die!
As for why the band wanted a brand new drummer for 13, their present touring drummer (Tommy Clufetos, who changed Ward earlier that yr) was ending up his duties. In the end, Rage Against the Machine’s Brad Wilk performed on 13, and each males performed on Black Sabbath’s ultimate EP: 2016’s The End.
So, would you will have been right down to see and listen to Starkey play with Black Sabbath in the course of the summer season of 2012 (and have him play on 13)? Tell us!
READ MORE: 25 Photos of Birmingham Transforming Into Tribute Hub For Ozzy Osbourne
Black Sabbath’s Historical past of Drummers
Clearly, Invoice Ward was Black Sabbath’s first and final drummer (having joined his former bandmates at their monumental Back to the Beginning ultimate present on July 5, 2025 in Birmingham, England). He additionally retuned and left a number of occasions alongside the way in which, with greater than a handful of different gamers – along with Clufetos and Wilk – additionally sitting behind the equipment over the past 55 or so years.
As an illustration, Dio’s Vinny Appice was part of each Black Sabbath and Heaven and Hell, having featured on the previous’s Mob Rules (1981) and Dehumanizer (1992) and the latter’s solely studio LP: The Satan You Know (2009). There was additionally Rainbow’s Cozy Powell on 1989’s Headless Cross and 1990’s Tyr, in addition to Rainbow’s Bobby Rondinelli on 1994’s Cross Purposes.
Different Zak Starkey Information
Sadly, Starkey has had a number of previous, current or future missed alternatives to lament in 2025. Particularly, he was fired twice from The Who (with whom he performed since 1996) earlier this yr, with guitarist/vocalist Pete Townshend claiming on the time that “the time has come for a change” and that Starkey “has plenty of new tasks in hand and I want him the perfect.”
Then, on the finish of Could, Loudwire reported on Starkey being “gutted” that he wouldn’t be part of Oasis’ 2025 reunion tour. Chatting with BBC Breakfast (by way of NME), Starkey – who was with Oasis from 2004 to 2008 – mirrored: “”I texted them and mentioned, ‘Why am I not in it?’” That mentioned, he additionally talked about that he understood why Oasis went with Joey Waronker as a substitute: “You understand, in case you get a brand new drummer, you get comfy, don’t you? You get comfy with new musicians and I believe that’s what’s occurred and I’m alright with that.”
Different Black Sabbath + Ozzy Osbourne Information
There was loads occurring within the Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne camps over the previous few weeks.
As an illustration, information emerged that a concert film about the show is coming to theatres in 2026, and members of Motley Crue, Soundgarden and Megadeth addressed why their respective bands weren’t on the iconic occasion.
As for Ozzy, his passing has deeply affected your complete rock and steel neighborhood (together with all of us at Loudwire). This, it’s not shocking that tributes to him proceed to pour in, with Black Sabbath, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Tony Iommi, David Lee Roth, Billy Corgan, Zakk Wylde and other rockers and fans already honoring what Ozzy meant to them. Even Kermit the Frog and PETA had type phrases to say about him.
Past that, Ozzy just lately introduced his second memoir, Final Rites, and his final social media post turned into an online fan memorial.
RIP, Prince of Darkness.
Most + Least Performed Songs From Each Black Sabbath Album
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Gallery Credit score: Rob Carroll